BRITISH SPEEDWAY ROUND-UP

Tuesday October 15, 2019

HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.

THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN

PIC OF THE WEEK...

The victorious Leicester team with their supporters after Saturday’s dramatic Championship Play-Off semi-final aggregate win against Redcar. The Lions will now face Glasgow over two legs in the shoot-out for the title.
Picture: STEVE DIXON

PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…

IPSWICH
“At the end of the day it is 0-0 at the start of the meeting and we have got to do what we did to Poole when we are at home and run them close away. It will be a really good meeting against Swindon.”
Witches star Jake Allen is expected to be a key man in the Premiership Grand Final at reserve against Swindon – and he is predicting another thriller, following their semi-final success over Poole.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Prem Grand Final, Tues Oct 15 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Prem Grand Final, Thur Oct 17 (7.30)

KING’S LYNN
“It is important for me to have a good end to the season. I have really got going for Lynn in the second half of the season which is good and hopefully it puts me in the picture for 2020.”
Stars vice-captain Lewis Kerr is targeting a return next season when they will look to return to play-off contention after fading from the picture this year.
NEXT HOME: GB v Denmark, Wed Oct 23 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Poole (PSC), TBC

PETERBOROUGH
“We started off ok but then we got a couple of injuries, and it hasn’t been easy at all. But it’s just been one of those seasons that you can’t do too much about unfortunately.”
British Champion Charles Wright was one of the success stories of a tough return to top-flight racing for the Panthers, who round off their campaign at Wolverhampton on Sunday.
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton (PSC), Sun Oct 20 (4pm)

POOLE
“Although the club still remains for sale, we are only prepared to do that should the right offer be made and it is the intentions of the current management team to still be running the club in 2020 with my son Dan taking a more hands-on role and becoming far more involved in a move that I feel certain will benefit the club.”
Pirates promoter Matt Ford confirms it should be business as usual next season at Wimborne Road, albeit with slight changes behind the scenes.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn (PSC), TBC

SWINDON
“It’s been a fantastic season so far, we’ve already won the Supporters’ Cup and now it would be nice to do the double. We’ve never done the double so far so that would be fantastic for our history, and if the boys keep riding like they are, I can’t see any reason why we can’t do it.”
Robins boss Alun Rossiter is targeting the best season in the club’s history – if they can overcome Ipswich in the Premiership Grand Final this week.
NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Prem Grand Final, Thur Oct 17 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Prem Grand Final, Tues Oct 15 (7.30)

WOLVERHAMPTON
“We have absolutely no excuses and no complaints. They were the much better team over both legs, particularly here at Swindon though, and we couldn’t keep pace with them.”
Wolves boss Peter Adams gave an honest assessment of a chastening play-off semi-final defeat to Swindon, where his side went down by a 36-point aggregate margin after losing the opener at home in wet conditions.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough (PSC), Sun Oct 20 (4pm)

CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES...

GLASGOW
“It's the one I think everyone wanted to see, so let's bring it on and see what happens. I think it will just take one team to have a little bit more form than the other, and that would be the deciding factor.”
Tigers boss Cami Brown expects a blockbusting Grand Final encounter with Leicester this week as the sides chase the Championship title.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Champ Grand Final, Fri Oct 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Champ Grand Final, Sat Oct 19 (7.30)

LEICESTER
“The meeting had absolutely everything, and I think that’s what the play-offs bring. I’ve never had riders asking me so often what the score was, because normally they’re concentrating on their own jobs, but they all knew how important and close it was.”
Lions boss Stewart Dickson saw his side overcome Redcar in a tension-packed semi-final at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena last Saturday, with the aggregate result going right down to the last race.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Champ Grand Final, Sat Oct 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Champ Grand Final, Fri Oct 18 (7.30)

NEWCASTLE
“Redcar have had a superb season and they are rightly the favourites however that suits us down to the ground. Two-horse races often end up with a surprise result, we are more than capable of producing a fine performance and coming out on top.”
Diamonds boss George English is ready for the challenge of trying to overcome a 12-point deficit in the second leg of the KO Cup Final against Redcar on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, KO Cup Final, Sun Oct 20 (6.30)

REDCAR
The Bears suffered heartbreak in the Championship play-offs as they lost out to Leicester by just two points in the semi-final, but still have the chance for silverware when they visit Newcastle in the KO Cup on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Teesside Silver Helmet, Fri Oct 25 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, KO Cup Final, Sun Oct 20 (7.30)

NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…

BELLE VUE
“The boys can be proud of themselves this year and we still have the KOC Grand Final, so while we bow out of the play-offs we can still win a trophy.”
Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin hopes his side can gain reward for their efforts this season when they face Leicester in the KO Cup Final, following their play-off exit to Kent.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, KO Cup Final, Fri Oct 25 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, KO Cup Final, Wed Oct 23 (6.30)

CRADLEY
The Heathens have confirmed the line-up for their season finale, with the likes of Ben Morley, Tom Perry and Nathan Stoneman joining the top home riders in the FAST Golden Hammer on October 28.
NEXT HOME: FAST Golden Hammer, Mon Oct 28 (7.30)

KENT
The Kings will now host the second leg of the National League Grand Final after bad weather on Monday forced the postponement of the scheduled opener against Leicester at Central Park.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, NL Grand Final, Mon Oct 21 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Leicester, NL Grand Final, Wed Oct 16 (7.30)

LEICESTER
“Every rider wearing the Leicester colours in 2019 has made massive progress and climbed several rungs of that metaphorical ladder. These Lion Cubs now have earned total respect from other league members this year and have proven to have very sharp teeth in competition.”
Co-promoter Neil Machin pays tribute to the development of the club’s National League riders as they prepare to contest two big Finals over the next seven days.
NEXT HOME: Kent, NL Grand Final, Wed Oct 16 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Kent, NL Grand Final, Mon Oct 21 (6.30)

FIXTURE PICTURE…

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15:
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Ipswich v Swindon 7.30

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16:
NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Leicester v Kent 7.30

THURSDAY OCTOBER 17:
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Swindon v Ipswich 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 18:
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Leicester 7.30

SATURDAY OCTOBER 19:
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Leicester v Glasgow 7.30

SUNDAY OCTOBER 20:
PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS’ CUP: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 4pm
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe 5pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 7: Wolverhampton (follows PSC fixture)

MONDAY OCTOBER 21:
NATIONAL LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: Kent v Leicester 6.30

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30
GREAT BRITAIN GLOBAL CHALLENGE: Great Britain v Denmark (at King’s Lynn) 7.30

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25:
NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: Belle Vue v Leicester 7.30
TEESSIDE SILVER HELMET: Redcar 7.30

SUNDAY OCTOBER 27:
90th ANNIVERSARY: Newcastle 6.30

MONDAY OCTOBER 28:
FAST GOLDEN HAMMER: Cradley 7.30

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BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE

Thursday May 21, 2020
BRITISH Speedway remains united in ‘cautious optimism’ about some league racing this season.

All three leagues have been keeping in touch to measure the impact of no racing so far this season and how it affects business going forward.

And the message is clear – all three leagues are refusing to give up on the 2020 season and are continuing to urge fans to 'do the right thing'.

Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, said: “Things are changing on a rapid basis and we are all encouraged to see it appears people are continuing to do the right thing to give us a chance of racing this year.

“The Premiership clubs had a catch up on Tuesday via video conference call, the Championship clubs are in regular dialogue and Jason Pipe, back as National Development League co-ordinator, is in touch with his clubs.

“There is little doubt in my own mind that some league racing will be possible this year. We can implement social distancing measures in stadia, both inside and outside the venue.

“We realise various club have different circumstances regarding their business, but I really do believe there will be some speedway this year.”

Damien Bates, vice chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd and promoter of Sheffield, said: "We had a very productive catch-up online with all Premiership clubs and it was good for us all to get together to discuss the situation.

"We are a long way from abandoning the season. We still believe there are possibilities, strong possibilities, that our sport can take place this season with the appropriate safety measures in place for everyone in a stadium.

"Naturally we are keeping a close eye on the travel situation because there are several riders who are in Poland right now and we need to see movement allowed without quarantine. It's a fluid situation.

"We are continuing to look at a full quota of fixtures, or perhaps half a season with 12 meetings per club in the Premiership plus play-offs. We are keeping our options open right now, all three leagues are, but in any situation we remain in the hands of the government.

"We believe we need to make another assessment when the government update us on the next phase of recovery from this crisis which will be early in July.

"In the meantime we urge all supporters of every club throughout the country to stay patient and be assured we are doing everything we can to bring some racing to them this year."

SPEEDWAY PUT FORWARD FOR RESTART TALKS

Thursday April 30, 2020
BRITISH Speedway officials have put the sport forward for discussion at government level regarding how the season can start.

Weekly talks with various sports are set to take place and the government will assess each case individually in terms of how to restart when restrictions are reduced.

Rob Godfrey, chairman of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd, made contact with his local MP in Scunthorpe, Helen Mumby-Croft, over the weekend and all clubs have been asked to do the same.

Godfrey has now been told speedway will be considered by government officials taking into account the venues throughout the country and the size of crowds.

“My understanding was that discussions have already taken place with major sports and I felt it appropriate to put speedway up there,” said Godfrey. “I just wanted to get the sport on the table, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less.

“If ever there was a good time not to be a major sport, it is now. It’s one aspect we are working on, of course, with sponsorship, TV and increased digital output but we are where we are.

“We are presenting the facts. Many of us can work with social distancing in our stadia, restricted numbers in parts of a venue won’t be a problem and certainly the pits area can be tightened up in terms of numbers and space between personnel, but again this is very broadly speaking.

“Above and beyond this, we are an outside sport without any confined space.

“We remain absolutely determined and committed to staging a British Speedway season in some format, but of course this won’t be next week or the week after. Yes, I know there are issues with international travel but for every problem we can find a solution.

“If there is time it would be nice to see a gradual reopening with practice sessions, but that all depends if and when we are allowed to do so.

“Whatever happens we are in the hands of the government and we can only start once we are told we can. We have various permutations available to us in terms of the fixture list, even if it means a three month or a two month season.

“In addition we acknowledge many clubs don’t own their stadium and would need full co-operation from their landlords.”

BRITISH SPEEDWAY SEASON UPDATE

Tuesday April 21, 2020
BRITISH Speedway bosses remain ‘100% committed’ to staging racing this year.

The board of directors at the British Speedway Promoters Ltd have held a conference call today to discuss the way forward.

And Vice Chairman Damien Bates said: “We had a productive conversation and we all agreed we remain 100% committed to putting on a season this year at the first available opportunity.

“There are absolutely no thoughts of cancelling the season. We all want to stage the season in whatever format that can take.

“We have people working on fixtures covering all eventualities in terms of dates and potential rider availability.

“Naturally nothing can happen until the government allow it to, indeed when the next decision is made on the current lockdown situation we will talk again between us.

“We want to give fans, broadcasters and sponsors what everyone wants and that is live speedway to enjoy.

“If it’s July, August or whenever it may be we are determined to stage racing should the government rules allow us to do so.

“In the meantime, on behalf of every club promoter we extend our very best wishes to British Speedway supporters throughout the country and we urge you all to please follow the government rules. They are not guidelines or advice, they are rules.

“We want you all fit and well and ready to come and enjoy this wonderful sport as soon as it is safe and legal to do so.”

BRITISH SPEEDWAY STATEMENT

Wednesday March 25, 2020
THE board members of the British Speedway Promoters Ltd are continuing to monitor the situation regarding the Coronavirus crisis on a regular basis.

With the latest information from the government stating high risk groups of people should stay at home for 12 weeks, it is unlikely that that there will be any British Speedway events taking place before June 15, at least.

The Board have to consider the public, their members, riders and officials, some of which will be included in the high risk group.

It is the wish of the Board that every effort is made to start the new season at the first available opportunity and we have members of the association continuing to provide alternative fixture dates as the situation evolves.

The British Speedway Promoters Ltd sends their best wishes to everyone at this incredibly difficult time.

JOINT BSPA/SCB STATEMENT: CORONAVIRUS

Tuesday March 17, 2020
BRITISH Speedway’s new season has been suspended with immediate effect.

The decision has been taken in line with other sports following the latest update from the government on the Coronavirus crisis.

This suspension will be reviewed on April 15 and the situation will be monitored by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and Speedway Control Bureau on a daily basis between now and then.